jumpy back end
 

i believe my shocks are shot:

lately, when my car hits normal (for utah) bumps in the road, the back tends to sort of skip, sometimes with a bit of shimmy. doesn't sound for feel like anything is loose or broken. i am thinking it is the shocks... also it seems worse when cornering to the left, if it happens on a corner, than when cornering to the right.

any ideas?

My car does the same thing...

Sounds like the bushes in the suspension arms are getting old - after all your cars are 20 years old!

Rear shock absorbers.
I had the same problem, replacved the absorbers, and viola! no more problem!
BTW, my parent live out there in Salt Lake, about 1/2 mile from University of Utah. Beautiful area!

Sounds like the shocks are shot. If you wanna test them push down on both rear wheelwells or hatch and see how bouncy it is...it shouldnt bounce up and down at all it should spring right up to where it was when you pushed it down and it should be pretty stiff. Check the front ones while youre at it. Check all the bushings and ball joints also.